Urinary drainage apparatus

ABSTRACT

A urinary drainage system and structure providing an initial or receiving container and also a sump or storage container. The two containers are inter-connected, with the first being pivotal relative to the second so that the contents of the receiving container may be emptied into the storage container. Pivotal structure cooperating with the containers serves as journaling means and also inter-communication means to accommodate fluid flow, whether the receiving container is in its normal or tilted condition. Self-adjusting securement means is provided so the structure may be leveled regardless of the supporting structure. Independent drainage means for the containers are provided.

United States Patent [1 1 Holbrook et al.

[451 Dec. 4, 1973 URINARY DRAINAGE APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Le Grand K.Holbrook; Ronald D.

Rowley, both of Salt Lake City, Utah [73] Assignee: Medical DevelopmentCorporation,

Salt Lake City, Utah [22] Filed: May 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 255,767

[52] US. Cl 128/275, 150/12, 248/95 [51] Int. Cl. A61f 5/44 [58] Fieldof Search 128/2 F, 275, 276-278,

128/294-295, DIG. 24; 150/12; 248/95 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,090,968 5/1963 Buono 128/275 3,568,965 3/1971 Clark 128/2753,683,894 8/1972 Villari 128/275 Primary Examiner-Charles F. RosenbaumAttorney-M. Ralph Shaffer [57] ABSTRACT A urinary drainage system andstructure providing an initial or receiving container and also a sump orstorage container. The two containers are interconnected, with the firstbeing pivotal relative to the second so that the contents of thereceiving container may be emptied into the storage container. Pivotalstructure cooperating with the containers serves as joumaling means andalso inter-communication means a to accommodate fluid flow, whether thereceiving container is in its normal or tilted condition, Selfadjustingsecurement means is provided so the structure may be leveledregardless'of the supporting structure. Independent drainage means forthe containers are provided.

10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures V SHEET 20F 2 PAIENTEUUEc 4 I975 II IIlull II I III Al I v 1- l i 4 I x x 1 r, drainage fluid, and also a sumpor general storage container to which the receiving container isoperatively connected. The receiving container may be made transparent,calibrated, and otherwise be useful to observe and/or measure incomingcontents. It is noted that any particular sample of urinary orpostoperative fluid can be independently collected and examined and evendrained off independently; thus, prior samples, collections or drainageneed not be mixed with the same in order that the most recent sample canbe independently examined.

It is of course necessary to provide also a general sump or secondarystorage container which is suffi ciently large in interior volume tohold a large quantity of fluid. Such a container should also be providedwith an adequate drain.

In the present invention the receiving container cannot only be emptied,by virtue of its own independent drain, but likewise can be tippedappropriately such that all of its contents empty into the large storagecontainer of the system. Inter-connecting pivotal structure provides notonly for the journaling of the receiving container to the sump orstorage container, but also affords inter-communication between the twoso that overflow of the receiving container automatically spills intothe storage container, with tipping of the receiving container beingoperative through the journaling structure to automatically emptycontents thereof into the storage container.

The structure is provided with handle and suitable elongate means suchthat the unit can be readily attached to bed rails or other supportingstructure. A depending leg in the handle affords an adjustable retentionof the elongate loop provided so that the unit may be adjusted forleveling, either from a horizontal or even an incline support. Suitablemeans are provided for pinching oft drain lines and storing the ends ofthe lame. Valve means is also provided for the inlet port so that theinterior of the urinary drainage system is not exposed to the atmospherein the absence of incoming fluid flow.

Accordingly, a principal object is to provide a new and improved urinarydrainage system.

A further object is to provide new and improved urinary drainagestructure.

An additional objectis to provide in a urinary drainage system thecombination of a receiving container and a sump or collection container,with the two always intercommunicating as to overflow and alsoselectively communicating for emptying contents of the receivingcontainer into the latter, as desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination of areceivingcontainer and a collecting container wherein the first is madepivotal relative to the second.

An additional object is to provide -a receiving container journaled to acollection container, with the journal area being constructed so as toprovide fluid collection therethrough.

An additional object is to provide a receiving and collecting containercombination wherein both container portions include respective drainlines.

An additional object is to provide for adequate drainline pinchoffand/or storage in collection containers.

An additional object is to provide means for suspend ing structures foran external object, and this in a manner and by such means that thestructure may be ajusted relative to the horizontal without excessivemanipulation.

An additional object is to provide storage structure having a handleprovided with an elongate loop and a retainer leg, the structure beingconstructed such that the elongate connector may be looped over asupport and be retained by the retainer leg, yet be adjustable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a urinary drainagestructure having a valve inlet.

The features of the present invention may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along the line2-2 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the structure of FIG. 1, illustrating thereceiving container thereof as being tilted upwardly, thereby to draincontents therefrom in the primary sump or storage container of thesystem or structure.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are side elevations in reduced scale of the principalportion of the structure of FIG. 1, wherein the same is shown suspendedfrom a bed rail or other support.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of the drainage tube of thestructure of FIG. 1, wherein the same is stored and pinched off.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical section taken along line 8--8 in FIG. 7,illustrating with FIG. 7 the receiving container as being in its normalvertical position.

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 but illustrates the receiving container asbeing tilted or tipped upwardly so as to accomplish drainage of thereceiving container into the sump or primary storage container in aclosed system.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation, partially broken away, of the structure ofFIG. 7, illustrating in particular the pivotal structure incorporatedtherein wherein drainage and over-flow are facilitated.

FIG. 1 1 is an enlarged fragmentary detail taken along the arcuate line1111 in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 1 a fluid storage container or sump 10 includes a primarystorage cavity 11 and a secondary storage cavity 12 communicatedtherewith to define a composite single interior cavity U. The storagecontainer 10 is provided with a handle member 13 which is integraltherewith, glued, or otherwise secured thereto at 14 and 15. Handlemember 13 is upstanding,

as indicated, and includes a central depending leg 16. Storage container10 includes a depending drainage port 17 provided with a flexibletubular drain 18 made of neoprene, rubber, or other similar material.The

storage container includes legs 19-22, and interposed between legs 19and 20 is a transverse bar 23 having a tube pinching slot 24.Accordingly, drainage tube 18 may proceed through slot 24 to be pinchedthereby, see FIG. 3, with the tube 18 being interposed in cavity 25 asformed by arcuate partition 26, container wall 27, and entrance opening28.

A receiving container 29 may be of transparent plastic and calibrated at30 in suitable increments for volumetric readings. The receivingcontainer 29 is provided with inlet port 31 and also the housing element32 contiguous and communicated therewith. Housing element 32 is providedwith an air inlet aperture 33 and interiorly contains a filter 34 suchas a piece of cotton, porous sponge plastic, or the like.

Drainage port 35 may likewise be provided the receiving container 29,and drainage hose 36 may be connected thereover and positioned forstorage within receptacle 37. The latter may simply comprise anarcuately-formed portion cemented in place or otherwise formed relativeto the underside 38 of receiving container 29.

Receiving container 29 is pivoted by the structure S to storagecontainer 10 and is generally illustrated in FIG. 2.

Storage container 10 includes an car 35 having a cover-plate 36 gluedthereto. Cemented to the cover-plate and also the wall W of aperture 37is an interior tubular journal 38, the latter being provided withside-wall aperture 39. Exterior tube 40 is cemented to tube 38, andincludes a wall aperture 41 communicating with aperture 39. The lattertube 40 forms seats 43 and 55 for receiving O-rings 45 and 46, aspacking rings, frictionally engaging the receiving container.

Accordingly, apertures 46 and 47 of the receiving container 29accommodate the inner placement of tube 38 and supply journal aperturesfor receiving container 29. Wall section 48 provided the receivingcontainer 29 simply completes the joumaling construction and itstransverse span. Accordingly, it is seen that the structure includingelements 35 and 36, 38 and 40 will be fixed or cemented together, withthe receiving container 29 being journaled thereto.

In operation, the urinary drainage structure will be coupled by hose orother conduit, now shown, at inlet port 31 to the patient area. Drainagereceived by'the hose and inlet port 31 will drop into receivingcontainer 29 and there may be measured as to volume, visually examined,and so forth. In the event of solely a small amount of liquid beingreceived, then the drainage conduit or hose 36 may be released from itsretainer 37 such that liquid may be drained out of the receivingcontainer 29. i

In the event that liquid received is in excess of the interior volume ofreceiving container 29, then liquid will rise and proceed throughopenings 39 and 41 in FIG. 2 to drain out of opening 49 at the end oftube 38, and into portion 12 of storage container 10.

If the receiving container contains fluid that does not reach thestructure S and yet it is desired that such fluid be emptied intostorage container 10, then the receiving container 29 need only betipped in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 so that fluid tube thereinwill proceed through openings 39 and 41 into tube 38 and out the end 49thereof.

Openings 41 and 39 proceed peripherally about the tube walls such thatcommunication is had for all intended dispositions of receivingcontainer 29. Normally this will be about 100 of arcuate surface.

When the primary storage container 10 is to be emptied, then tube 18will be released from its position as shown at 27 in FIG. 3 and releasedfrom the pinch-off at slot 24 so that the same will be disposeddownwardly for drainage as seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates in an enlarged fragmentary view, shown in section,the manner in which tube 18, see FIG. 1, is pinched off at pinch-offslot 24 in transverse bar member 23.

FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 illustrate that the handle member 13 is provided with apair of opposite apertures 50 and 51 which accommodate the knotted ends52 and 53 of flexible elongate connector 54. The latter may comprisesimply a length of twine, a plastic cord, or other similar article. FIG.4 illustrates that the loop configured elongate member 54 may be simplylooped over a bed rail 55 and be disposed about retainer leg 16 in themanner shown. Slight variations in positioning of the compositestructure D relative to the horizontal may be adjusted by simply tippingin an appropriate direction such structure D so that the central portionof elongate connector 56 will slip in appropriate degree around the leg16. Accordingly, it is seen in FIG. 4 that the device is easily adjustedto obtain the horizontal positioning desired.

Even should the supporting rail be tilted, as at 56' in FIG. 5, thedevice may be adjusted properly so that the same achieves a horizontaldisposition. Again, this is accomplished by the elongate connectorlooping around leg 16 and being adapted to slip therearound in desiredadjustment.

In FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 there is illustrated a new embodiment of theinvention wherein the primary or storage container 58 this time assumesa U-configurement relative to its horizontal cross section. The media]open area R thereof accommodates the positioning of a receivingcontainer 59, the same being journaled to the primary structure bystructure S1.

The structure S 1 comprises a pair of concentric tubes 60 and 61 whichrespectively include congruent wall apertures 62 and 63. These sideapertures continue for an arcuate distance approximating 100 of thetubes and are designed for receiving liquid from the re' ceivingcontainer 59 when the same is tilted upwardly into a new position asshown in FIG. 9. In returning to FIG. 10 it is seen that theaforementioned tubes form seats 66 and 67 which accommodate theplacement of o-rings 68 and 69 as well as the side walls of thereceiving container 29. Such side Walls 64 and are provided withrespective apertures 01 and 02 which serve as joumaling means. End 03 isopen and provides for the transmission of contents from the receivingcontainer 59, when the same is tilted upwardly as shown in FIG. 9, suchthat the same proceeds through congruent apertures 62 and 63. Inlet portP joins an elbow structure P1 which communicates with and is fastened toend B on inner-tube 61. Drainage tube 73 is pinched off and stored, seeFIG. 10, in the same manner as is tube 18 in FIG. 3 of the priorembodiment. Likewise, receiving container 59 may be provided with a tube76 which can be appropriately stored in the manner shown in connectionwith tube 36 in FIG. 1, see 78.

In operation, the'structure of FIGS. 7, 8 and 10.per-

forms as follows: In the position shown in FIG. 7 the receivingcontainer is positioned to admit liquid therein for calibration,observation, and so on. Should such container be filled to overflowing,then the liquid will proceed upwardly through apertures 62 and 63 andout the end 03. When it is desired to drain the entire content withinreceiving container 59, then the same is simply tilted upwardly as shownin FIG. 9 such that the contents will proceed out of congruent apertures62 and 63 and out end 03 into the primary container. It is noted thatthe medial space R provides a storage area for the pivotal receivingcontainer 59, see FIG. 9. This storage area R is .formed by the generalU- configurement of the primary storage container 58.

What is had, therefore, is a new and improved urinary drainage systemand structure wherein a portion of the structure can be pivotallydisplaced so as to empty the contents within the primary sump or storagecontainer of the structure. The same facilitates, hence, calibration andreading of the receiving container contents, secondary collectionthereof by the primary storage container, and independent drainage ofthe same. The filtered air intake in both of the embodiments, see forexample 33 in FIG. 1, provide for air inlet and evacuation into theinterior of the container.

FIG. 11 is a view taken along the acruate line 1 1-1 l in FIG. and showsa valve plate 75 which is secured at 76 within the structure. This valveplate opens upon the presence of an incoming stream of fluid as at X butthereupon will close to cover the opening &. Accordingly, the interiorof the urinary drainage system is closed by the valve 75 in the absenceof an incoming liquid stream filling the same.

What is had, therefore, is a new and improved drainage system andstructure wherein primary and secondary, intercommunicating containersare obtained, this so that the initial or receiving container mayindependently measure incoming fluid and yet may be emptied convenientlysuch that its contents may pour into the sump or storage container. Thereceiving container may be calibrated or otherwise facilitated toprovide desired readings, observation, and so forth. Elongate connectormeans provides for easy attachment to bed rails and similar articles andis made easily adjustable.

Either or both of the pivot structures in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and7, can be constructed to be tilted slightly, approximately 3 4,downwardly relative to the horizontal and toward the outlet leading intothe respective storage chamber, this to aid in fluid flow.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art the variouschanges and modifications which may be made without departing from theessential features of the present invention and, therefore, the aim inthe appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications asfall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A urinary drainage structure including, in combination, a tiltablereceiving container having an inlet port for receiving external incomingliquid, a storage container, pivot means for pivoting said receivingcontainer to said storage container whereby said receiving container maybe pivoted to a tilting position for drainage purposes, said pivot meanshaving a through aper ture providing communication from said receivingcontainer through said pivot means and into the interior of said storagecontainer.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said storage container has aU-configurement, as to its horizontal crosssection, such as to define amedial side opening, said pivot means being horizontally disposed acrosssaid side opening.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said storage container isconfiguredwith an end indentation, said pivot means extending transversely,relative to said storage container, into said indention.

4. Structure according to claim ll wherein said pivot means is rigidlysecured to said storage container, said receiving container includingaligned apertures circumscribing said pivot means, said pivot meansincluding O-ring seals disposed proximate said apertures.

5. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said pivot means includes sidewall aperture means and an open end communicating with the interior ofsaid storage container.

6. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said receiving containerincludes means for draining liquid therefrom, said storage containeralso including drainage means for draining liquid therefrom as well.

7. Structure according to claim 1 wherein the storage container includesdepending leg means disposed at opposite ends of the structure, one ofsaid leg means in cluding a bar having a slot, said storage containerincluding a compressible drain constructed for pinchable dispositionthrough said slot.

8. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said inlet port includes aself-closing valve, and an air filter disposed proximate said valve.

9. Structure according to claim 2 wherein said inlet port is contiguouswith said pivot means and is sealingly attached thereto, said pivotmeans including a downwardly facing wall aperture and also an open-endcommunicating with the interior of said storage container.

10. A portable urinary drainage liquid container constructed forsuspension in horizontal dis-position from an external object, ofwhatever orientation, and including a handle having an upper smoothcontour and a me dial, integral, planar, depending leg, and a flexibleelongate connector connected at its ends to said handle on oppositesides of said leg and constructed to be looped around said ex-ternalobject and be medially looped over and around said leg.

1. A urinary drainage structure including, in combination, a tiltablereceiving container having an inlet port for receiving external incomingliquid, a storage container, pivot means for pivoting said receivingcontainer to said storage container whereby said receiving container maybe pivoted to a tilting position for drainage purposes, said pivot meanshaving a through aperture providing communication from said receivingcontainer through said pivot means and into the interior of said storagecontainer.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said storage containerhas a U-configurement, as to its horizontal cross-section, such as todefine a medial side opening, said pivot means being horizontallydisposed across said side opening.
 3. The structure of claim 1 whereinsaid storage container is configured with an end indentation, said pivotmeans extending transversely, relative to said storage container, intosaid indention.
 4. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said pivotmeans is rigidly secured to said storage container, said receivingcontainer including aligned apertures circumscribing said pivot means,said pivot means including O-ring seals disposed proximate saidapertures.
 5. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said pivot meansincludes side wall aperture means and an open end communicating with theinterior of said storage container.
 6. Structure according to claim 1wherein said receiving container includes means for draining liquidtherefrom, said storage container also including drainage means fordraining liquid therefrom as well.
 7. Structure according to claim 1wherein the storage container includes depending leg means disposed atopposite ends of the structure, one of said leg means including a barhaving a slot, said storage container including a compressible drainconstructed for pinchable disposition through said slot.
 8. Structureaccording to claim 1 wherein said inlet port includes a self-closingvalve, and an air filter disposed proximate said valve.
 9. Structureaccording to claim 2 wherein said inlet port is contiguous with saidpivot means and is sealingly attached thereto, said pivot meansincluding a downwardly facing wall aperture and also an open-endcOmmunicating with the interior of said storage container.
 10. Aportable urinary drainage liquid container constructed for suspension inhorizontal dis-position from an external object, of whateverorientation, and including a handle having an upper smooth contour and amedial, integral, planar, depending leg, and a flexible elongateconnector connected at its ends to said handle on opposite sides of saidleg and constructed to be looped around said ex-ternal object and bemedially looped over and around said leg.